Swan Help! for regular GF vacationers....

[SleepingBeauty69]

Hi All! We just booked a trip for October 2012 [10/4-10/8]. In an effort to save money, we used my husbands's Starwood points and are staying at the Swan [chose this over the Dolphin for the bed sizes and 2 sinks - thanks to the info found here]. We visit fairly regularly and normally stay at the GF [with one time at Wilderness Lodge Villas]. I thought the "boardwalk" resort would be much better now that our boys are older and the MK isn't their first priority [although with the Sorcerer's game, that may change!]. Any "inside" tips or resort secrets that you could pass along would be great! I feel like we're going in blind not knowing the inside scoop on this resort area

 

[vicki_c]

The Epcot resorts are our favorite due to the ease of walking to Epcot - especially during Food & Wine. We stayed @ the Swan last fall because all the Disney resorts were sold out. While they're not "Disney," the Swan/Dolphin are still very nice - in some ways nicer than the Disney resorts.

I think you really enjoy being able to walk/boat to DHS and Epcot - you might become hooked as well.

Tip - they have Starbucks Coffee @ the Swan which is an advantage over Disney right there, for me!

 

[TammyA]

I'm staying at the dolphin for the first time this year and I found the Swan Dolphin thread on this board really helpful. I'm really looking forward to being able to walk to Epcot and DHS. Here's the link
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904771

 

[jenemme]

Being able to walk to 2 parks will spoil you. The Boardwalk area is great. We enjoyed breakfast at the bakery every morning. If you have hopper passes, we would walk through epcot and get on the monorail to MK. The pool is nice and much quieter than most. You have tons of resturant options. We love the Fountain in the Dolphin for a quick bite. You can watch Illuminations from the Boardwalk. I think you will be pleased. If you have any specific questions let me know.

HTH,
JK

 

[lovetogowdw]

1. Did you take advantage of the fifth night free offer staying on points? If you pay for four nights with points, the fifth night is "free".
2. Does your husband have gold or platinum status? If so, ask at check in about the possibility of an upgrade to a balcony room with a view of the fireworks from either/both Epcot or Hollywood Studios. On my last trip we could see both from the balcony. It was nice to enjoy those from the room on several nights.
3. Check out the "pantry service" offerings. I was beyond delighted with the items (and the PRICES) for this service during my Dec. '11 trip. A six pack of beer placed into my mini-fridge for $8. I kid you not. I think "milk and cookies" was like $5. Not often you get a bargain like this at WDW.
4. Pizza delivery - it was also relatively inexpensive. They had a specific company that placed an ad under the door. Decent, but not great. But I had the beer from #3 above, so I was happy.
5. The pool (with waterfall) and the slide were a big hit with my oldest son this last trip now that he was old enough to enjoy the slide.
6. Walk or boat ride to both Epcot and DHS. This gave lots of options when the bus lines were long. Totally agree with earlier comment on going through Epcot to catch MK monorail if you have a park hopper pass.
7. Easy to grab an inexpensive character meal -- the main Swan/Dolphin restaurant has dinner (check the characters for the various nights) and breakfast options. At breakfast you can order off the menu (so just pastry, coffee if you like). Cheapest way to have a bit of character added to your trip. I think that was Goofy and Pluto only? Double check with them. Also, can go over to Y&B Club for the beach character breakfast. Just make your ADR early.

One heads up/drawback: If you fly in and are used to GF's Magical Express service, don't forget this is NOT included at Swan/Dolphin. S/D will arrange limo service to/from and there is a round-trip rate. So still, overall, much cheaper than GF for same length of stay.

 

[lovetogowdw]

Thought of a couple of more things. You don't say how old your boys are, so some of this may not apply.

A. Fantasia Gardens miniature golf -- just across the street.
B. The beach area at Swan/Dolphin has swan paddleboats, spontaneous beach games (volleyball), etc.
C. If one/both are still young enough, you can walk over to the Yacht & Beach Club to catch a "pirate cruise" one morning.
D. Are they into collecting pressed pennies? There are a number of those machines within walking distance in the general Boardwalk area.
E. If they are teenagers, then they might enjoy lunch/dinner/snack at the ESPN Club over at the Boardwalk (short walk or catch the boat).
F. There is a fun ice cream/soda fountain restaurant on property. I think it is at the Swan.
G. Are you there during Food and Wine Festival? If so, then definitely go for Park Hoppers and pop over in the afternoons/evenings to Epcot to sample the offerings. If you walk or take the boat you'll enter from the back of Epcot. One time you can walk in starting towards Mexico, the next towards Canada. Think a progressive lunch or dinner of snack sized servings. Do meal, then dessert in each direction. Lots to choose from. Might enjoy Eat to the Beat concerts, too.
H. Leave your hotel about 2 to 2.5 hours before the fireworks at the MK. Do a Food and Wine snack dinner through Epcot, then take the monorail to the TTC. Just walk around the corner of the Polynesian to the beach area facing MK and settle in to enjoy the fireworks from their beach. You might be able to sit where you can enjoy their beach movie, too. If you are there during MNSSHP, you can catch Hallowishes. Hit the snack bar at the Poly if you want to enjoy dessert at the beach. If it is EMH night at Epcot, you can go back through Epcot. Otherwise take the boat or monorail over to MK and catch the bus back.
For future trips note that Santa and Mrs. Claus (decked out in their tropical wardrobe) visit here, too. The adults line up like crazy for photos, too! Just google it for pics, etc.

 

[SleepingBeauty69]

Oh my gosh! I've been without my computer and unable to view these responses until now!!! Thank you all SO MUCH for responding! I'm going to read in detail now but didn't want to delay the THANKS first